Advice or Examples of Successful SOPs?

[Athanasius]

Hello all,

I plan on applying to NT PhD programs this upcoming fall season. I'm a bit in the dark on the SOP. Of course, schools usually give a broad description of what they expect. But, does anyone have pointed advice for--or links to examples of--successful SOPs? If it helps, I plan on applying to Duke (Phd and ThD), PTS, Emory, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge. Many thanks!

[The Maritime Scholar]

Hi, @Matiyahu7! I hope all's well.

I'm applying to a PhD in English program, so the two SOP examples that I found are mostly humanities-based. Either way, I'm sure they'll be of some use to you.

Check them out here:

• PhD Applications and the Dreaded Statement of Purpose
  • This particular one is helpful because Sean goes through each paragraph and comments on what needs to go in each. He also tailors his SOP to a c. 1,000 or c. 500 word requirement.
• Sample SOP (UC Berkeley's History Department)
  • This sample SOP is from a student applying to a PhD program in UC Berkeley's history department. It's particularly helpful because there are footnotes that address what works throughout the SOP. 

I hope this is helpful! For me, I know that looking at these samples really helped me compose my SOP in the best way possible.

Good luck! ?

 

[Athanasius]

This is Great! Thank you for that. Reading through these right now.

All the best to you as well! :)

[exegete]

If you want to send me a PM, I'd be happy to chat about specifics.